Sustainability - Integrating Traditional and Modern Architecture..!

The
built environment of any community is considered to be the reflection
of regional architecture – and thereby a significant component of
differentiation. In the pre-Industrial Revolution phase, India’s built
environment, as in the rest of the world, was shaped by certain values
and cultural beliefs. However, with tremendous urbanization
and globalization after the Industrial Revolution, India’s rich
cultural and architectural heritage is vanishing. This is primarily due
to increased usage of industrially-produced and standardized materials.
With that, the dependency on locally-available materials
has declined, transforming ‘vernacular architecture’ buildings to more
standardized modern concrete structures.

Vernacular
architecture refers to structures built indigenously to a specific
time or place, taking into consideration the experience of centuries of
community building. It depicts the characteristics of the local
environment, technology and climatic conditions. Importantly, buildings
constructed through traditional techniques using
natural, locally-sourced, non-toxic, renewable and biodegradable
materials can also minimize negative ecological impacts.

Modern
architecture, on the other hand, uses industrially-produced materials
(such as steel and concrete) that possess a low thermal resistance and
require high energy intensity, thereby causing a considerable impact on
the environment due to substantial energy consumption. Modern structures
consume around 10-15% more energy compared
to vernacular ones.

How ‘vernacular architecture’ differs from the modern architecture

Integrating modern and vernacular architecture in contemporary designs

With
the escalating ecological crisis across the world, there is a mounting
threat to traditional and cultural values. Unplanned development
that disregards local beliefs, culture and values has led to a
widespread socio-economic imbalance. To make our communities more
sustainable, vernacular elements need to be incorporated into
contemporary town or city planning.

Various
initiatives are being taken by Earth Summit, National Habitat Mission,
JNNURM, Water mission and Energy Efficiency mission to create
culturally supportive communities. After all, vernacular traditions
enhance not only social inclusion but also citizens’ quality of life.

Already,
we are seeing an increasing focus on harvesting rainwater, and
preserving and promoting recycling and reuse. However, despite the
challenges such as the provision of the built fabric in relation to the
surrounding urban form, emphasis must also be given on building
structures in response to the respective climatic conditions -
structures which are energy-efficient and use natural, renewable
materials such as mud and timber.

Case studies of integration of vernacular and modern architecture

Various
architects, planners and policymakers are working on a more integrated
design for the betterment of societies of the future. The
use of natural resources is being encouraged by substituting concrete,
cement and energy-intensive materials with sun, water, wind and soil.
Here are some of the urban structures in India where both vernacular and
modern architectures have been incorporated: